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Regarding a country’s civility and standard of living, protection from law and order is also a determining factor. Irrespective of the statements made by many, other factors are secondary to the legal structure and its good governance.

A classic example is that people can make statements that equality prevails in Sri Lanka. However, if it is not happening or is misused, then all these justifications are pointless. Law and order is the foundation that holds the ultimate verdict.

So regardless of what you brag or boast and if your viewpoints are only restricted to weak assumptions that the law is not carried out in the manner it should be, then the country is nowhere. This is the plight in today’s context.

First and foremost, the public should be given more awareness with regard to law and order. Even though the literacy rate of Sri Lanka is high, the knowledge and awareness when it comes to law and order is minimal. People hardly know about the legal terms in the country. Educating them is one way we could expect more peace and justice.

There is quite a high level of bribery and corruption prevalent in the country. In my opinion, law and order should be equal for all citizens in the country and those who breach the law should inevitably be punished.

The current situation is such that wrongdoers are fearlessly roaming free and innocent people are caught in the net as culprits. Seemingly many prisons house those who are innocently dragged into them as culprits. This is how the current law is in Sri Lanka. But this is not how it should be. ‘No’ will be the answer of the majority.

If the law is to be just and enacted, if it is legally binding as it says, then people will be afraid to do wrong. This is mainly due to the punishment and penalties that will be practically applicable.

On the other hand, there should be strict conditions regarding prisons, inmates and jailers. If prisons are becoming a comfortable abode for certain culprits to commit wrongdoings, be imprisoned, come and go, arrange some jugglery while in-house via mobile communications, then the purpose of prisons is doubtful. Jailers should also be under strict surveillance as they too have proven to be responsible for some of the dealings of prisoners.

Prior to implementing law and order, the legal framework or the judicial system needs to be clear and specific, and free from ambiguity. There are many grey areas in the law in Sri Lanka though there are many consolidations and amendments. Some are relaxed, some overlapping. Then maintaining law and order in a country need not wait until the above task is fulfilled.

Minor violations should not be taken for granted as trivial. Looking back, many malpractices and violations such as bribes took place in a small way and a blind eye was turned to these or they were considered not so important. As time passed by, the violations were considered rather normal and part of the process, and now expanded so it seems we are unable to turn back the clock.

Therefore, both these aspects need to be prioritised. These need to be functioning separately, as well as concurrently. For if at least those who want to live reasonably are pushed into trouble, whether Sri Lanka is a good country to live in is questionable.

Words are insufficient to explain the situation as at today. In other words, it is rational to say that the situation seems to go out of control beyond the worst expectations.

The circumstances and the settings that prevail in this country are not paving a path for law and order to survive. Even those who strive to do so will find it a challenge that is hard to survive. A challenge that is not worth it finally. One would feel that facing such hardships in being reasonable is not worthwhile, considering the struggle and consequences of the aftermath. Therefore, even the few people or authorities who have the intention of acting reasonably are compelled to go with the force of the groupthink.

Law and order ultimately end up hooked in the hands of politicians or the ruling power. It is the responsibility of politicians to provide and maintain the setting for an equitable country where everybody is equal before the law.

Also, there cannot be subjectivity in determining who is right or wrong, and whether the powerful or common people get punished or not when the law is universal. So if law and order is not in place, the politicians are to take the blame. It is the foundation that can be laid for the law to take hold in the country. Only they have the authority and hold the initiative to do so.

What has happened so far in this country is that manipulation occurs with political power and forces others to carry the blame most of the time. The root cause is to be addressed and not the symptoms.

Some politicians exert their political power on law enforcement officers and make them commit illegal actions. They do not allow the law to function. And they take revenge on unusual officials. They chase them into difficult places.

Today, every square inch of the country is dominated by injustice and lawlessness. The right thing rarely happens. Many of the crimes committed in the country have not happened in the past.

Whatever crime is found in the country, when it is found, there is someone who is a politician. There is nothing to do. They have been authorised to do so by us. They can do everything. There is nothing we can do. Is this the ‘Wonder of Asia’?

The law should be effective for everyone. The police are helpless because of Sri Lankan politics. If the law is enforced, they will either be moved to distant places or another punishment will be enforced. That’s why they enforce all these laws on the general public.

The prime ministers in countries like England travel alone on the street. The ministers in Germany come to parliament using public transport. Some people come on bicycles. The politicians in our country are violating traffic laws with many vehicles.

The law should be equitable even for any person who expresses hatred of the nation in order to confuse the peaceful environment in the country. It is also fair to look at the law at all. There is no need for a lack of law especially for persons and parties who issue identical allegations to make statements of hatred, disagreement and eminent points of view specific to law and order.

The law was not equally implemented on statements and representations made in national and religious forms in the past. The law and the rule must be at the same level in the north, the south, the east and the west.

The present government comes to power and turns the law against persons connected to allegations of bribery and corruption. Even though investigations into a number of bribery allegations have begun, it is a serious situation to end legal action and punish them in a speedy manner.

Social criticism in this regard is directed by the government and authorities to protect corrupt individuals or the government is still in the process of failing. In the absence of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the investigations are still not in operation.

This is indeed an appropriate topic for discussion in the current scenario. The question on everybody’s lips is whether the rulers have implemented ‘law and order’ in this country. The answer is in the negative. The present administration should take responsibility for this sad state of affairs.

The criminals are on the rampage with killings and robberies taking place regularly, and in the open. Fear has been instilled in the public at large. Different standards are being adopted by law enforcement officers. Only the rich and powerful segment of society will get redress. The law enforcement officers will get activated only after the damage is done.

The high level of bribery and corruption prevalent in the country, and the interference of politicians in the administration process has resulted in the breakdown of law and order. Those who have committed large crimes get away with a small punishment whilst those who have breached the law on a comparatively minor offence would be given a bigger punishment.

The public has lost confidence in the judicial process as well since justice is not meted out to all equally. The fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of this country are not being implemented. Therefore, the current administration should make radical moves to get a grip on the situation and strictly enforce law and order in the country to prevent the loss of lives.